Our Ballpark Tours (BPT) Bleacher Bums XXXIII \u2013 Rock N\u2019Roll Adventure<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 tour group rolled out of Chicago at about 9:30 a.m. on Friday, leaving Wrigley Field behind and heading for Cleveland\u2019s Progressive Field and two days of watching the Indians take on the Twins.\u00a0 For more on BPT 2015 Day One, click here<\/a>; Day Two, here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

$\"Progressive$ <\/a>
Progressive Field – lots of fireworks, early and late.<\/p><\/div>\n
Clearly, the entertainment options available in The Windy City took the wind out of the sails for many of our group.\u00a0 It was a relatively quiet bus ride.\u00a0 We arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in downtown Cleveland about 5:30 (great hotel, large rooms, complimentary breakfast, ten-minute walk to the ballpark \u2013 see photo at the end of this post), so our group rushed to get settled in an off to view some baseball \u2013 not to mention $2 Budweisers in right field until 7:00 p.m.<\/p>\n
We arrived close to game time, so there wasn\u2019t a great deal of time to explore the ballpark (more on that in my next post). I will pass on a few observations on the ballpark later in this post \u2013 but first, the game:<\/p>\n
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We were promised post-game \u201cRock N\u2019Blast\u201d fireworks, but the Twins and Indians delivered their own fireworks much earlier. In the third inning, BOTH teams batted around.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span> The Twins sent 11 batters to the plate, scoring six runs; the Indians had nine batters step into the box, while scoring four times.<\/li>\n
Overall, it was an exciting (especially for our group of Twins fans) back-and-forth contest. The Twins took a 6-0 lead early, then fell behind 9-7, and, finally won, 10-9 on a Torii Hunter homer in the top of the ninth.<\/li>\n
The two teams used six pitchers each. So, in the past two games on the tour (Cubs\/Giants \u2013 Indians\/Twins), we\u2019ve seen a total of 24 pitchers.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
Going back to the fireworks theme, Friday\u2019s game featured 29 hits<\/strong><\/span> \u2013 including seven doubles, two triples and four home runs. For those on the bus who love offense, this may prove to be this year\u2019s best stop. A Twins’ win and 29 hits, that\u2019s like dinner and<\/em> a show.<\/li>\n
Forty-year-old Torii Hunter<\/strong><\/span> started in right field and had a single, double, (game-winning) home run, three runs scored, two RBI and a stolen base for the Twins. Almost prophetically, the PA announcer had told the crowd before the game that Hunter had more hits against the Indians in his career than any other active player. He certainly stayed active last night.<\/li>\n
Recent Twins\u2019 call-up A.J. Achter<\/strong> <\/span>got off to a rocky start in his first 2015 major league appearance (relieving in the bottom of the fourth) \u2013 giving up a walk and a home run to the first two hitters he faced (Indians\u2019 DH Carlos Santana and C Yan Gomes). Achter then settled down and struck out the next four batters (before being lifted at the end of the fifth inning). Achter was 4-2, with a 2.82 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 44 2\/3 innings in 40 appearances at Triple A Rochester this season. In six minor league seasons, he is 22-18, with 31 saves, a 2.91 ERA and 383 strikeouts in 365 innings. He pitched in seven games for the Twins last year, going 1-0, 3.27. <\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In Baseball, We Keep Track of Everything \u2026 Well, almost.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
It\u2019s often been noted in this blog that \u201cIn baseball, we keep track of everything.\u201d That generic \u201cwe\u201d \u2013 at least yesterday \u2013 did not include the umpiring crew.\u00a0 Last night, with the Twins\u2019 CF Aaron Hicks\u2019 facing Indians\u2019 right-hander Cody Anderson with one on and one out in the third inning, home plate umpire D.J. Rayburn \u201clost track\u201d of the count. (It was either 2-2 or Hicks had fanned on a 1-2 pitch.) Apparently, Rayburn wasn\u2019t the only one off track out there on the field.\u00a0 The four-man umpiring crew met behind the mound, but couldn\u2019t agree on just what the ball-strike count was.\u00a0 So, the \u201cpowers that be\u201d in New York were called upon (during an official delay of 1:58) to review the video and determine the proper count, which was confirmed from New York at 2-2. Hicks went on to hit a single to center, part of the Twins\u2019 six-run third.\u00a0 Ultimately, we ended up seeing an umpiring crew needing the help of reviewers some 460 miles away not to make a judgment on a close call, but to determine the ball-strike count. It doesn\u2019t seem like keeping track should be quite that hard.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
A Few Observations on Progressive Fiel<\/strong><\/span>d<\/p>\n
Progressive Field is a good place to watch a ball game.\u00a0 Fine sight lines; a feeling of being close to the action; a nice city skyline back drop; solid and fairly priced concessions; and knowledgeable, involved and loyal fans.\u00a0 In addition, Progressive Field\u2019s downtown location is close to plenty of pre- and post-game food, beverage and entertainment possibilities. \u00a0The overall architecture does feel a bit industrial, however, when compared to newer designs. We arrived too close to game time to explore much of the park (although I have been here before), but I\u2019ll provide more detail after Game Two of the series.<\/p>\n
While Progressive Field is a good place to watch a ball game, it is not a good place for scoreboard watching. The large video board in centerfield is the primary source for almost all game-related info (and the Indians seem to provide less info than most teams) \u2013 and it is hard to see from the outfield seats.\u00a0 There are narrow LED panels along the bottom of the upper deck, but they are hard to read \u2013 and the information keeps changing \u2013 so you need to be looking at the right panel at the right time to get the information you want.\u00a0 (Scores from other games, for example, come up periodically and one at a time.) Also, any detailed information on the panels (like an inning-by-inning line score of the Indians’ contest is pretty small and hard to read.\u00a0 I thought that might be my 68-year-old eyes, but a twenty-something tour participant said he had the same issue.<\/p>\n
BBRT Note\/Correction: \u00a0Since this post was written, I have taken in a game from Progressive Field’s infield section seats – with a view of the big center field video board and lower video panel. \u00a0 On that board and panel, the Indians do provide more info on each hitter\/pitcher and \u00a0an inning by inning line score – and show the score more like eight games at a time. \u00a0Still, that board is difficult, if not impossible to view from many outfield seats. (In fact, while we had tro strain to see it from our $45 left field area seats Friday night, we could view it easily from our $29 second-deck, infield section seats on Saturday. Also \u00a0even though the CF board shows the games about eight at a time, they do not leave the scores up – so you still have to be looking when they are posted.<\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n
It is also worth noting that , when it opened in 1994 (April 4, with President Clinton throwing out the first pitch), it was considered one of finest ballparks in the nations. \u00a0And, the Cleveland fans agreed. The Indians sold out every game from June 12, 1995 to April 4, 2001 – 455 consecutive home sellouts.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
$\"The$ <\/a>
The Terrace Club – give it a try when in Cleveland.<\/p><\/div>\n
Final Progressive Field thoughts for now.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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The Indians know how to put on a Dollar Dog Night. You can have up to six and there are plenty of vendors, both at concessions stand and traveling the concourse and seating area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Cleveland also knows how to do fireworks. BPTers generally agreed that the post-game Rock N\u2019Blast Show – fireworks and lasers set to rock music – was the best ballpark any had witnessed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Two-dollar Bud night is very popular, get to the \u201cRight Field District\u201d early if your goal is to maximize this opportunity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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I\u2019d recommend visiting the Terrace Club \u2013 in the left field corner.\u00a0 It\u2019s a glass enclosed bar and restaurant open to any ticket holders.\u00a0 (It\u2019s where I purchased my Bloody Mary for review.) Get there early enough to get a seat (counter or table) near the \u201cglass\u201d and you can watch the game VIP style.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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You also may want to try the right field Corner Bar \u2013a two story bar with more than three dozen beers on tap.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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If it\u2019s a night game, take a light jacket. It gets windy at Progressive Field.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Progressive Field Bloody Mary<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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Special note: I did drink responsibly.<\/p><\/div>\n
The Bloody Mary ($9.75) \u00a0at Progressive Field (Terrace Club) beat Wrigley\u2019s disappointing offering, but still did not crack BBRT’s first division.\u00a0 On the plus side: a generous pour; I was asked if I wanted it spicy, and tobasco and pepper were added (the final product did have the appropriate \u201cbite\u201d); the Terrace Club proved a great (and classy) place to consume a Bloody Mary and still keep an eye on what\u2019s happening in the ballpark.\u00a0 Negative:\u00a0 The only condiments offered were a slice of lime or lemon. I am told, however, that on Sundays, they offer Bloody Mary\u2019s loaded with such items as shrimp and bacon. Wish I was going to be here then. <\/em><\/p>\n
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Diversions<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Saturday (today), we had time (it\u2019s a night game) to explore Cleveland.\u00a0 As usual our bus travelers split off to take part in the pursuits of their choice. Popular destinations were the Cleveland Museum of Art; Cleveland Baseball Heritage Museum; the nearby Horseshoe Casino; and, perhaps most popular, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (a must for music lovers visiting Cleveland.)<\/p>\n
$\"A$ <\/a>
A baseball from the Rock and Roll Hal of Fame … an appropriate symbol for BPT’s Rock N’Roll Adventure.<\/p><\/div>\n
I chose the Rock and Roll HOF (even though I\u2019ve been there twice before). What a day. Those who know me will recognize how much I would appreciate free breakfast, rock and roll and baseball ALL in the same day.\u00a0 I discovered two bonuses at the Hall: 1) They\u2019ve lifted the ban on picture taking. 2) There was a special Everly Brothers (my all-time favorites) exhibit on the third floor.\u00a0\u00a0 BBRT side note:\u00a0 One of the staff told me that after the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lifted the photo ban (you actually had to check your camera at the entrance and pick it up when you left), a number of artists pulled their display items.\u00a0 She declined to name names, however.<\/em><\/p>\n
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Tonight more baseball, but first a nice late lunch\/early dinner.\u00a0 Given our schedule, late game, early a.m. bus departure for Detroit (Tigers\/Red Sox), you\u2019ll probably be spared a post tomorrow. But, I\u2019ll be back.<\/p>\n
Oh yeah – and here’s our room. Ballpark Tours delivers again!<\/p>\n
$\"bptclevroom\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n
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I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT.\u00a0 Follow me for notification of new blog posts.<\/span><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Our Ballpark Tours (BPT) Bleacher Bums XXXIII \u2013 Rock N\u2019Roll Adventure \u2013 tour group rolled out of Chicago at about 9:30 a.m. on Friday, leaving Wrigley Field behind and heading for Cleveland\u2019s Progressive Field and two days of watching the Indians take on the Twins.\u00a0 For more on BPT 2015 Day One, click here; Day […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n